Comments

I wish people wouldn't go out there and make us sad...like jumping off a
mountain in Zion Park or playing with avalanches.

patriotCedar Hills, UT

Feb. 10, 2014 12:47 p.m.

This is very sad. I have gone snow shoeing for years at Tibble Fork and there
are safe and unsafe areas. The trail on the east side of the dam is safe since
it winds its way up through a pine filled hollow. Any steep open terrain is not
safe and this photo looks to be very unsafe. People need to use common sense.

mattrick78Cedar City, UT

Feb. 10, 2014 12:32 p.m.

very sad.

San DiegoOrem, UT

Feb. 10, 2014 12:03 p.m.

@SillyRabbitIt was reported in one of the Salt Lake papers but I doubt
there it is in the archives as this happened maybe 25 or 30 years ago and they
did not have digital storage then. I was in the trenching business at the time
so I took particular interest in it from a construction safety standpoint. I
guess you will just have to take my word for it that I did not make up the
story.

I am not sure why that is such a sticking point. That story
really wasn't the point I was trying to make. I was trying to point out
that it is extremely difficult to locate buried victims and that there may be a
relatively simple way to help prevent similar tragic results in the future.
It's somewhat like wearing seat belts and motorcycle helmets. But I think
more casual back country snow sport participants may not be aware that the
avalanche beacons are available and important to wear.

I am in no way
blaming anyone for the tragedy. I am sure everyone involved in the rescue effort
did the very best they could to try and save her.

San DiegoOrem, UT

Feb. 10, 2014 11:10 a.m.

@SillyRabbitIt was reported in one of the Salt Lake papers but I doubt
there it is in the archives as this happened maybe 25 or 30 years ago and they
did not have digital storage then. I was in the trenching business at the time
so I took particular interest in it from a construction safety standpoint. I
guess you will just have to take my word for it that I did not make up the
story.

I am not sure why that is such a sticking point. That story
really wasn't the point I was trying to make.I was trying to point out that
it is extremely difficult to locate buried victims and that there may be a
relatively simple way to help prevent similar tragic results in the future.
It's somewhat like wearing seat belts and motorcycle helmets. But I think
more casual back country snow sport participants may not be aware that the
avalanche beacons are available and important to wear.

I am in no way
blaming anyone for the tragedy. I am sure everyone involved in the rescue effort
did the very best they could to try and save her.

rlsintxPlano, TX

Feb. 10, 2014 10:47 a.m.

Condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Cox.

SillyRabbitLayton, 00

Feb. 10, 2014 9:07 a.m.

I'd love to read that story to verify your citation of it; it's being
near impossible to find via Google.

Yep, that transmitter likely
would have helped. Poor woman, poor friends, and poor family. Please be well and
grieve however you need.

San DiegoOrem, UT

Feb. 10, 2014 8:55 a.m.

@SillyRabbit The construction worker death occurred some years back in Salt Lake
City. The point I was trying to make is that when someone is buried it is very
difficult to know exactly where they are located and sometimes the victim is
injured further in the rescue effort. The fact that the rescuers unknowingly
piled snow on top of the victim was an indication that they simply did not know
where she was. Had she been wearing a transmitter they may very well have been
able to locate her immediately and saved her life.

SillyRabbitLayton, 00

Feb. 10, 2014 8:43 a.m.

How does the 2003 construction worker fatality play into avalanche beacons? It
was during work on Staten Island digging a sewer pipe and is very specific about
the man being decapitated by the backhoe, so I will assume that is the story you
were referencing.

I also did not find any information about it being
his brother, merely a colleague.

I do not think it supports your
opinion about organizations being required to rent beacons.

Condolences to the family. A beacon would have improved the chances at
retrieval and survival.

San DiegoOrem, UT

Feb. 10, 2014 2:49 a.m.

Very sad. It would be prudent if organizations that supply or rent snow shoes,
cross country skis and other winter sports equipment were required to provide
avalanche beacons or at least have them available for rent.If the customer
chooses not to use them then have them sign a required release.

A few
years back a worker was buried in a trench collapse. His brother frantically
tried to uncover him with a backhoe and accidentally cut off his head.

Avalanche beacons have saved many lives and are essential in quickly locating
the victim in time to avoid death from suffocation. Had the rescuers know
Ashley's exact location they may have been able to save her.